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She took her two youngest children, Millie, now 17, and Annie-Mae, seven, while her son, Marco, 19, stayed in her house.

Heartbreak: Ashton Hibberd is pictured with his mother, Gina, in a family photograph taken before she was tragically killed in a car accident

Promise: Jane, seen left with Ashton, Lewis, and the boys' father (right) meeting Leicester Tigers player George Chuter, quit her job to care for Gina's family after her death

Selfless: When her best friend Gina Hibberd was killed in a car accident, Jane Plume (centre holding album) quit her job to care for Gina's sons Lewis (left) and Ashton (second right), and their father, who had cancer

Upheaval: After the boys' father died last November, Jane moved herself and her two youngest children, Millie, right, and Annie-Mae, second from right, into her late best friend's family home to try and minimise the impact on the grieving brothers

‘The
kids were already close because Gina and I were friends for so long, so
they were like brothers and sisters,’ said Miss Plume.

‘I
didn’t think twice about taking them on – Gina was my best friend and I
would have done anything for her. It was devastating when Shaun asked
me to take care of the kids when he had gone but everyone knew it would
be the best thing.

‘I’m glad
I could do her this one last favour. If it had been the other way
round, I know Gina would have done the same for me. We were just like
sisters. I think Gina would be happy with the arrangement and I know the
children are all happy.

‘There isn’t a day goes by that I don’t miss her but at least I have a part of her with me in her sons.

Loving mother: Ashton is pictured in his mother's arms on the day his parents renewed their wedding vows

'I have a part of her with me': Jane, right with Gina, said her three children were already close to Lewis and Ashton because their mothers had been friends for so long

Support: Ms Plume said the children were as close as siblings before tragedy struck as she and Gina had been friends for so long

The chain of events began in June 2009 when Mr Hibberd was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

His
wife, also a personal assistant, turned to her friend of 14 years for
help. The Hibberds organised a renewal of their vows to help cope with
the devastating news. But, while on her way to a new job, Mrs Hibberd
and another driver died at the scene of a horrific car crash in October
2010.

‘I went into shock and just kept focusing on caring for Shaun and the boys,’ said Miss Plume.

'Like sisters': Ms Plume says she knows best friend Gina would have done 'exactly the same for her'

Grief: Gina, pictured with Shaun on the couple's last holiday together, had been coping with the news of her husband's cancer diagnosis when she was killed in the car accident

As his health worsened, they made arrangements for the future care of his children.

‘It may seem like a strange set-up to some but for us it works and it keeps us all settled and comfortable,’ she added.

‘The kids all get along well and care for each other like any other brothers and sisters.’

She is training to be a holistic therapist after being inspired by the good care which Mr Hibberd received in hospital.